Classes & Workshops, March 12-18

Send announcements, which are open to the public at no or minimal cost, to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102 or e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454. For additional listings, visit www.connectionnewspapers.com.

Spring Pool Institute, March 14-16. Mike Hayslettï¿½s popular "crash-course" workshop on vernal pools will be hosted in Loudoun County this spring. The hands-on training begins at 1 p.m. on Friday with background instruction indoors and examination of the Rust wetland at the ANS Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg. Saturday and Sunday is an all-day exploration in the field, including visits to numerous vernal pools and other isolated wetlands around Leesburg, at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship and to the Lucketts sinkholes. Cost for this three-day workshop is $49 for LWC members, $69 for nonmembers, meals not included. To register, visit www.loudounwildlife.org or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org or 540-882-9638.

Children can come and learn some yoga poses and learn how to calm their minds and relax their bodies at Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling, Tuesday, March 18, 4 p.m. Recommended for ages 6-11. Advance registration required. Sign up online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or phone 703-444-3228, Ext. 309.

The 23rd Citizenï¿½s Police Academy will begin Wednesday, March 19. The free sessions will be held one evening per week for 11 weeks and each session will be two hours. Sheriffï¿½s Office personnel will conduct the classes, providing an overview of all the aspects of law enforcement. Members may also have the option of participating in a ride along. The classes are open to Loudoun County residents over the age of 18. To enroll, contact Ginger Wines or Bonnie Burke at the Loudoun County Sheriffï¿½s Office at 703-777-0407.

The Rust Library, 34D Catoctin Circle, Leesburg, will hold a writing workshop with NVAA professor and author Nathan Leslie. On March 22, the topic will be "Plotting a Successful Story." On March 29, the topic will be "Writing for Publication." The workshops will begin at 3 p.m. Register online at www.lcpl.lib.va.us or call 703-777-0323.

Adult Computer Classes at Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling. Classes are limited to 7 students/7 computers/2 instructors. These adult computer classes are geared toward the novice. Classes are on Mondays 7-8:30 p.m. Microsoft PowerPoint is $59 and will be held March 24-31. Preregistration is required for all classes. A $10 materials fee is paid to the instructor at the first class. Call 571-258-3500.

The Tri-State Riding Club will be sponsoring an obstacle clinic, Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Rock Hill Farm, 15483 Limestone School Road, Leesburg, to provide a safe venue for riders to bring their animals and practice overcoming obstacles in a noncompetitive and nonstressful setting. Preregistration is required at $40 per horse by completing the registration form and waiver found at www.tristaterc.org. Call Rosemary Lawler 703-795-0486 or e-mail Rosie12349@aol.

The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, Sterling, is offering Music Together, Tuesdays and Fridays, from 9:30-10:15 a.m. and 10:30-11:15 a.m. The class offers developmentally appropriate early childhood curriculum for parents, children and primary-care givers. Call 571-258-3500.

The Claude Moore Community Center, 46111 Loudoun Park Lane, is offering My First Preschool, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9-10:30 a.m. Class for children who will be 2 years old by Sept, 1, 2008. Call 571-258-3500.